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You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Mental Health > Psychiatry & Psychology--General > Cat Obsession
Expert: Alan Auerbach - 10/31/2009
Question
so i know this girl who is obsessed with cats. she is a teen and is now totally obsessed with cat necklaces and now she even swallows cat necklaces and other cat themed items because she said that she feels close to cats when she swallows things like that. she also wants to be in the medical field and come up with medical cases that involves a person swallowing a cat necklace and getting scratched or involved with a cat. she also is now obsessed with getting a cat shaped birthmark. my question is what is wrong with her,treatment, and also this service is free right???
Answer
Yes, our service is free, and I'll be glad to help insofar as I can.
Many girls are devoted to something, whether ponies or heartthrobs or kittens (just as boys can be fascinated with video games or cars). It's sometimes hard to tell when a vivid interest or hobby becomes an obsession, and what to do about it if it is, so that would require more information. As for the "birthmark," I hope she can find a temporary one. Lots of young people get tattoos, but they usually have to be a certain age because they often regret it later.
But one thing is certain -- about those many items she swallows. If they are not edible, she could be doing herself serious harm. In that case, I think you have a duty to do something about it, just because you know her. It is important that she at least talk with the school guidance counselor about this practice. If you don't think you can convince her to do it, please at least tell one of your teachers. Otherwise, she could get sick and even die, and you sound like too decent a person to want to have that on your conscience. (There's the risk of perforation or blockage, and many novelty charms and trinkets come from China with very dangerous levels of lead in the decoration.)
I hope those comments are useful to you, and I think it was good of you to have asked on behalf of someone else. If you have a follow-up question, feel free.
Alan
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